USS Emeline (SP-175)

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USS Emeline (SP-175)
Career (USA) Union Navy Jack 100x35px
Name: USS Emeline
Namesake: A name retained
Owner: Robert Graves of New York City
Builder: Ailsa Shipbuilding Company at Grenock, Scotland
Laid down: date unknown
Launched: 1898
Christened: as Katoomba, later renamed Rivera and Emeline
Acquired: 10 June 1917
Commissioned: 14 July 1917
Decommissioned: 19 May 1919 at New York City
Struck: circa 1920
Homeport: Brest, France
New London, Connecticut
Fate: sold on 9 October 1920 to a San Diego, California, buyer
General characteristics
Type: Yacht
Tonnage: 407 gross ton
Length: 196'
Beam: 24'
Draft: 12' 6"
Propulsion: Steam engine
Speed: 10 knots
Complement: 72
Armament: Two 3” guns

USS Emeline (SP-175) was a yacht acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I. She was outfitted with military equipment, including 3-inch guns, and was commissioned as a patrol craft, assigned to protect shipping in the North Atlantic Ocean. She saved the lives of survivors of shipwrecks, and provided escort protection from German submarines for commercial ships. Post-war she was sold to the highest bidder, who had the yacht sail to San Diego, California, for delivery.

Built in Scotland

Emeline (No. 175), a yacht, was built as Katoomba in 1898 by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Greenock, Scotland; purchased by the U.S. Navy 10 June 1917; and commissioned 14 July 1917, Lieutenant J. P. Miller in command.

World War I service

Assigned to the North Atlantic Ocean

Emeline arrived at Brest, France, 30 August 1917, for patrol off Ushant and to escort convoys between English and French ports. She gave invaluable aid to ships in distress, rescuing survivors of:

  • SS Spro, torpedoed on 21 December;
  • SS Saracen, wrecked on the rocks off Les Platresses on 26 December;
  • and survivors of the torpedoed SS John G. McCullough on 17 May 1918.

Post-war decommissioning and sale

She returned to New London, Connecticut, after the war, was decommissioned at New York City 19 May 1919, and sold 9 October 1920 to her new owner, R.J. Robinson of San Diego, California.

See also

References